A fashion and lifestyle magazine and blog produced by Students in the Design and Merchandising program at Drexel University

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Models, Models Everywhere

Excited at the thought of a new experience; Nervous at the thought of messing up royally; Uncertain as to what exactly I was getting myself into. My first time as a dresser for a fashion show was nothing exciting to the outsider, seeing as it was just a dress rehearsal. But to me, it was the opening of a door to a whole new world. I wasn't sure what to expect from the seemingly flawless models I would be adorning with strange, and sometimes complicated garments.

I looked up in at at them, literally, considering I am only 5'3". I felt like a star struck little girl. They seemed so confident, beautiful, and tall and inside I couldn't help but to want to be them. Rather than being pretentious, they were very friendly and warm and continually thanking me for dressing them. I smiled and said, "You're welcome," when inside I wanted to say, "I didn't really do anything." Honestly, it was hard to look at them and find a way to be happy with my own appearance. But, from listening to their conversations with one another, they weren't too happy with their appearance either. I found it frustrating and interesting at the same time. I just wanted to shake them and say, "You are gorgeous, why can't you see that?" But, I think it also goes to show that no matter what a person has, they always want something better. While I would give anything for their long legs, they would give anything to have skinnier legs. Realizing that no matter how beautiful I may appear, I would always want to look better, I decided that I would have to learn to love the way I look or be doomed to a life of unhappiness.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Home away from Home

The other day I received this picture in an email from my little sister. It is the view at sunset off the deck at my parent's house in New Jersey. I find myself homesick for the first time in a while. It's the little things like this picture that make home feel so close yet so far away. Isn't it strange how the idea of home changes so much once you go off to college? I've moved a record 5 times since I came to Drexel 3 years ago. (Twice my freshman year due to the fact that my dorm was being renovated and twice this year but once it was only a move down the hall.) There are always a few stray boxes that remain unpacked, and I feel like I can never be completely settled because I know the impending doom of another move can't be far away. I try and combat these feelings by decorating and redecorating and filling the place I live with décor I love.
So, here are some tips to make your apartment or dorm room feel more "homey" even if it is only temporary.

1. Lighting and mirrors are key to making any small room seem larger. Free standing lamps provide lighting that is less harsh than florescent, and is also better for reading. Mirrors add depth to a room but be sure to hang them opposite a nice view, otherwise you'll be staring at that crack in the wall two times over. Try three floor-length ones hung side by side.



2. Paint will instantly warm up a room. Most apartments rented to college students come with white walls. Why not chose a color for your walls to liven up the space? Check with landlords before breaking out the rollers.

3. Picture frames with photos of friends and family will remind you of home. Try an arrangement of frame decals that stick to your wall for a fun look.



4. "Throw items" Throw pillow. Throw blanket. Throw rug. All of these items add a personal touch. If your floors are tiled or old, ugly carpeting a throw rug can cover that up. Try making your own from recycled plastic bags. If your couch is from your parents' basement and looking a little shabby, a quilt tucked over the edge will add a punch of color. If your bed is lacking in comfort, toss a few throw pillows with cool graphics on there to add comfort and style at the same time.



5. Shop thrift and second-hand stores as well as flea markets for unique home goods. I've found some of my favorite pieces of art as well as cheap kitchenware at thrift stores. They are a great place to find one-of-a-kind items.

My living room. (circa apartment #4)

I hope these tips help you feel more settled in your space, or at least liven up your walls. Happy (Re)decorating!


Monday, October 26, 2009

Arts of Fashion: Master Classes


During the past 48 hours I have had the opportunity to gain an inside view of the Arts of Fashion Master Classes that are currently being held at Drexel.
Students from all over the world have come together, enrolled in in four fabulous intensive classes that are being taught by some of the most innovative young designers in the fashion industry.

The diversity of the students working together in these classes is truly impressive - I was able to speak to many of them as I helped to complete interviews, which will be included in a documentary that is filming this week. Their excitement to be here is contagious, and after spending time with them in the studios over the past two days I cannot wait to see their final projects debut in the fashion show and awards ceremony at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Wednesday, October 28.

The four classes that were offered were:

Flower Power: Taught by Christian Wijnants and Matthew Ames
A class where the students started with jacket, floral fabric, padding materials and shoulder pads. Once the original jacket is deconstructed, it will be reconstructed as a new jacket with added volume and embellishments.

Trench Mutation: Taught by Matthieu Blazy and Julie Perrin
Starting with a standard menswear trench, the students deconstruct the garment, and then using cut shapes from other fabrics, they will reconstruct a new garment, marrying the form of the trench to that of a cocktail dress.

Bag Pocket - Pocket Dress - Dress Bag: Taught by Anthony Vaccarello and Arnaud Michaux
The students create a dress using only the materials from various handbags and sports bags that they provided.

Wishing to See is Enough to Believe That You are Seeing: Taught by Aurore Thibout and Laurence Teillet
The students take garments of their choice, and using screen prints of their own design, they alter the surface of the fabric, which is then reconstructed into a garment - with the goal of creating the illusion of movement in the new piece.


The instructors of the Arts of Fashion Master Classes, images courtesy of Arts of Fashion

For more information regarding the Arts of Fashion Master Classes, please visit their website.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?

This weekend, while I watched the masterpiece that is Breakfast at Tiffany's (along with two other Hepburn movies) , I remembered how I've been planning to have breakfast at Tiffany's myself. It also reminded me of how much I love that era and its fashion. I adore the glitz and glamour and the class -- the grace that old Hollywood possessed.

Breakfast at Tiff
any's features style icon and actress, Audrey Hepburn, a hilariously interesting party scene and everyone's favorite little black dress. Besides the obvious love story, the movie is a stylistic representation of its time, and has also had a huge impact on what we wear today. Holly Golightly's oversized sunglasses, skinny pants and swing jackets have become fashionable staples in many womens wardrobes.

So dig out your black and white movies and take some fashion notes. Look at what was popular back then - silhouettes, accessories, hair styles, etc. Take note of what you love and figure out a way to work it into your own wardrobe. And maybe I'll see you, coffee and danish in hand, at Tiffany's?

Photo courtesy of alyssagolightly.wordpress.com

Your nails don't have to feel the economy!

I'm as broke as the next college student, but I still love little luxuries. One thing I can't live without is manicures. I like to keep my nails long and polished. With the cold weather approaching it's even more important to take care of your hands. Unfortunately, this is a luxury I can't always afford - but I have perfected the D.I.Y. manicure.

Here's how I do it:

1. Remove.

all old polish (even clear) with a non-acetone remover. This is important to get a smooth, glossy finish. Non-acetone is also less harsh on the nails and won't weaken them.

2. File.

nails in one direction. Whether you like straight or rounded, start at the edges, and move towards the center.

3. Soak.
your hands in warm, soapy water. I use a ceramic bowl because it keeps the water warmer for longer. For an extra touch, pamper your hands with a warm washcloth, just like at the salon. Dampen cloth and heat in the microwave for 20 seconds.
4.
Dab.
on cuticle cream at the base of nails. Use an orange stick to push back the cuticles, but leave the cutting to the professionals. One wrong move with the clippers and you can cause damage or infection to the nail.
5.
Rub.
lotion over hands. Use your washcloth to wipe nails of excess lotion so oils don't interfere with polish.
6.
Apply.
a base coat. I always use one with a strengthener so the manicure lasts longer and breaks or hangnails don't happen. My favorite is Sally Hansen Diamond Strength
available at CVS. Let dry completely so color goes on evenly.
7. Paint.
nails with color. Two coats is best. Three even strokes from the base to the top to cover nails completely. Hot nail colors for Fall: opaque gray or sapphire blue. Try Give me the Moon! or Light my Sapphire by OPI. Apply a quick drying top coat. For screw-ups with color keep a remover pen handy.

Sit still for at least 15 minutes to avoid the dreaded nail smudge.

Lucky for the iPhone addicted, texting is wet-nail friendly.



Philly Fashion

Philadelphia, though it possesses its own unique charm, does not currently have a reputation as a fashion mecca in its own right. Within the United States, that honor has been given to a few cities, but Philly’s fashion scene has always fallen short of recognition. But this Fall, all of that stands to change, as Philadelphia stages a daring attempt to ascend to the status of an east coast center of fashion.

Philadelphia Fashion Week, a movement that has long been attempted and not yet seen success, delivered on its promise something more this year. Under the guidance of successful buyer and manager Michael Anderer of Matthew Izzo fame, the three day event consisted of shows, parties, and concerts designed to show off Philadelphia’s local talent and entice the locals to show some brotherly love to their “phashionable” fellow citizens. While in years past many individuals and organizations have held similar events, Anderer and his team added a new level of style and prestige to the event, two very necessary ingredients when hosting a fashion event of any scale.

In addition to the local fashion renaissance, Philadelphia will also host an international fashion event later this October. The Arts of Fashion, an international organization born in France and dedicated to promoting the advancement of fashion innovation and education, will be hosting its annual symposium at Drexel University with the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. The five-day event consists of master classes, lectures, film screenings, and it culminates in a fashion show displaying the talents of the best fashion students from around the world, as well as former students and emerging designers. The Philadelphia Museum of Art will host the finale show for the symposium, further tying in Philadelphia’s own artistic treasures with their emerging interest in fashion. (Visit arts-of-fashion.org for full details.)

With these two events under its belt, and an abundance of local talent ready for the spotlight, things are looking up for the fashionable people of Philadelphia. If the buzz about the fashion scene is any indication, the city is well on its way to establishing its own reputation as a city of style.